Very Simple Inverter That Can Be Built in Minutes - Only Requires 5 Main Components

In my previous instructables, i've made a mini inverter that could light an LED bulb at maximum brightess, but it uses a lot of components, have to manually wind a transformer which is difficult for beginner, and draws current more than 1.5 amps. The transistor also burned out when the inverter is turned on without load (bulb).

In this intructables We will build a very simple inverter that requires only 5 components : 2 transistors, 2 resistors, and an inductor. This inverter draws very little current and safe if accidentaly turned on without bulb.

Let's start...

As mentioned before, the main components of this inverter are only 5:

- an NPN power transistor. i use TIP41C

- a PNP power transistor, i use TIP42C

- 2 x 330 Ohm resistors.

- a 10 mH inductor. Or you can use a transformers from a fluorescent lamp. This transformer has only 1 coil winding.

And for additional component:

- an LED Light bulb as a load, i use 3 watt philips LED.

- an E27 lamp holder

- a Lithium battery as the power source.

and it is recommended to use TP4056 Charging Module to charge the battery.

The schematic is very-very easy even for beginners in electronics. we only have to connect the resistor between the base of the PNP transistor and the collector of the NPN transistor, and the base of the NPN transistor to the collector of the PNP transistor. +Vcc goes to the emittor of the PNP transistor, and the emittor of the NPN transistor goes to ground. The load and transformer/inductor is connected in parallel, and goes between the collector of both transistors, it doesn't matter the polarity.

Very, very simple, isn't it?

Here is the circuit on a perfboard, and look, only 5 components attached to it.

For the battery i use 2 x 18650 1500 mAh Lithium battery and a 3000 mAh smartphone battery.

for load i attach a power outlet socket to the casing for convenience.

OK, it's time to put the inverter to the test.

The lightbulb is not at the maximum brightness as the circuit only draws 0.25 A. Theoretically, with only 0.25A load, the 6000 mAh battery can last for about 24 hours for non stop usage. make it very useful for emergency situation or in a camping.

When i increase the voltage to 8.6V, the bulb reach the maximum brightness.

Maybe next we can use boost step up converter, or using 2 lithium batteries in series so it can get about 8V, using a BMS (Battery Management System) as a protection.

Thanks for visiting my instructables.